Scott & Marcia Geurink - World Missions in Mexico

Scott and Marcia are church planters in Tijuana, Mexico where their ministry is bearing much fruit. They have planted two worshipping congregations in the last 15 years and are working on a third, in addition to some 10 ministries or missions. They are indirectly dependent upon our financial support, since they are salaried by CRC World Missions but are required to raise a portion of their own support.

On January 27, 2008,  our congregation welcomed Scott and Marcia Geurink as our guests for the day. The Geurinks shared a few pictures and brief testimony about their work during both of our our morning English services--including the adult service and the children's worship time (Promiseland). The children presented them with a check from the offerings they had been collecting since fall. Scott also preached at our 10:30 Spanish-language service, which was followed by a pot-luck lunch with the Hispanic congregation. In the evening we invited the Geurinks back to show a few more pictures, tell a bit more about their ministry, answer questions from the congregation, and fellowship over some goodies. We took an offering for the Geurink's ministry support and discussed other ways Rosewood can partner with and support them in their efforts.

Kevin & Michelle Suwyn - Young Life in Costa Rica

In November 2007 Rosewood Church received a letter from Greg McDonald, who, along with his wife, Lynn, support the mission work Kevin & Michelle Suwyn do through Young Life in Costa Rica. Greg also has come alongside Kevin as a volunteer to assist in managing their fund raising efforts so that they can stay focused on ministering to the kids of Costa Rica. Below is an edited summary of Greg's update on the Suwyn Family.

THE BACKGROUND
It is exciting to see the countless young lives that are being touched for Jesus through Kevin & Michelle's work abroad. Nonetheless, the medical challenges that Michelle & Kevin have experienced with Samara over the past 24 months, have certainly taken a toll on them emotionally, physically, and financially. On October 1, Michelle & Samara began another extended stay (45 days) in the States at the Feeding & Swallowing Clinic of Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. Their goal is to teach Samara to accept and eat food orally as she is currently fed through a G-tube.

THE CHALLENGE
As you might expect, Kevin & Michelle have become very good at surviving the unexpected medical and travel expenses associated with Samara's condition. An example is their current trip to Philadelphia. Michelle is staying at the Ronald McDonald house next to the hospital for $15.00 per night; friends are working on car lending options for Michelle. Nonetheless they still have incurred airfare of $1,025 for Michelle & Samara and another $1,318 for Noah & Elijah to visit their Mom one time during their 45 day stay in Philadelphia. Additionally Kevin also needs to receive a week of parent training from the clinic. This still doesn't account for transportation expenses to & from the airport, travel, food costs etc. When you layer this on top of the $13,000 out-of-pocket medical expenses they have incurred since Samara was born, you can quickly see the challenge facing Kevin and Michelle.

THE OPPORTUNITY
We think that the people and churches that support Kevin & Michelle and family would like to help. In addition to your regular giving to support their ministry, would you please consider a one time gift to help offset some of the out-of-pocket expenses they have incurred? Kevin & Michelle would certainly consider your on-going support of their family, as well as their ministry, a huge blessing!

The Rosewood Ministering Deacons arranged for an offering last November. However, anyone wishing to contribute to the Suwyn's support fund may contact Lanell in the church office. 

Roger & Karen Van Otterloo - Wycliffe Bible Translators in Kenya

Roger is also a son of Rosewood, and Roger & Karen are Rosewood’s longest-standing missionaries. Serving with Wycliffe Translators, they led a team for 20 years that translated the New Testament into Kifuliru, the language of the Bafuliru people in the D.R.Congo. The Van Otterloos now live in Nairobi, Kenya, doing advanced linguistic work that will facilitate the translation of the Bible into many other languages in the southern half of Africa. They are directly dependent upon the gifts of God’s people for their salary.

Roger & Karen Van Otterloo, c/o SIL-ECG

P.O. Box 44456

00100 Nairobi, KENYA

Steve & Christine Van Diest

Steve is a son of Rosewood and Steve & Christine are working for a Community Development ministry near Denver, Colorado. In the past they have worked for Campus Crusade for Christ in Colorado and Mexico City. They have also led pioneering mission teams to places in the U.S. & abroad, including Chile, Spain, & Russia.  Please keep the Van Diest family in your prayers as they transition into a new area of ministry.